The stages of a cold

Getting sick is something that doesn't happen very often for me. Fortunately, when I do get sick, it also tends to be very minor. This week I've been battling a cold, which is the first one I've had in probably a year or more. Most of my colds seem to follow the same progression. On the first day, I wake up with a tickle in my throat, unsure if it's the start of a cold or if it's just a dry throat from snoring all night. Shortly after getting up it's gone, and doesn't return until late that night. On the second day, the throat hurts a lot more, and I get some sinus pressure and perhaps a runny nose. On the third day, my throat hurts less, but the sinus pressure is so strong that I want to run a drill through my eye to relieve the pressure. Copious amounts of sudafed and Advil usually help. Then there's the fourth day (that would be today). On the fourth day, the sore throat is gone, the sinus pressure feels like there's a truck on my face, and since the cold is breaking up, every time I cough or sniff, I get a throat full of thick, chunky mucus that tastes absolutely disgusting, and thanks to the little chunks, feels pretty gross too. And oh the color! Such beautiful hues of bright yellow, greens, and brown chunks suspended within.

At least the cold is almost over. Tomorrow I'll be tired, but otherwise feeling fine.